How I replace a balance staff, riveted type, Part 1 of 4, taking apart balance assembly

This video performed by an amateur. Do not attempt at home. No watches were harmed in the making of this video. For entertainment only.

[jamesparker]

I like this watch repairman because he is real. His approach helps me avoid mistakes. He thinks out loud so we can follow his progress. More power to him. He does need my patients. Otherwise, he accomplishes what he needs to do. I do not know if he went to watch repair school. I did when I was in my twenties. I am 71 now and getting back into watch repair. This fellow is OK.

[therealforeal]

Bunn, you are an inspiration. 5:00 to 5:47, I could feel that! So funny because so been there. Please keep the videos coming.

[MrSkype]

I have what I thought was the K&D Balance Staff Remover, but mine looks a little different than the one your using. Instead of buying another one I wished I could show you mine so you could give me a tip. I also bought a mixed bag of tools, and there is a staking like device with three attachments, which I believe it will do the same thing. Just for several different balance staffs, but I'm not sure exactly what it is . It is an interesting tool, and wished I knew this is what it is for?

[digitaltripper]

Hey Bunn...Where is part two? Did you get the staff yet? I have a 16 size Elgin I am going to do. Waiting on the pricey staff remover I just won on feebay. I guess I should check the jewels to see if I need any of those as I have not done that yet...Thanks for the videos!!

[AndreKowalczyk]

Have a couple of questions related to this excellent video. First, what is the vise tool that you used with your staking tool to hold the balance wheel? Second, are planning to make the Part 2 of this video (putting it all back)?

[TAB]

Very nice video, as usual. :-)

I'd love to see one on your procedure and recommendations for oiling a wrist watch.

[dmb]

What type of stump are you using when you remove the roller and what not, I like it and can't seem to even find another picture of it.

[bunnspecial]

The stump I use to remove the roller and stuff came with the staking set. I think this set came with two of these, probably a small and large, but the other one is missing. I also have another roller remover commonly called a Rex roller remover. The rex roller remover comes with several different size stumps and punches. It can be used without a staking set.

[migjette]

Bunn, excellent job! I enjoyed it so much that I watched it twice now. Tried to comment last night but YT would not let me. It is tough at first, then it is fun. I'm looking for some balance staffs right now for a Howard 16S. Talk to you soon; thanks again for showing us the truth.

[bunnspecial]

Thank you for the suggestions. I have a couple of balance screw holders. Will have to try that.

[bunnspecial]

@PaterAeneas The tool is a Kendrick and Davis balance staff remover No. 50 B. I made a video showing this tool since I don't show it good in this video. I will put this back together soon with a new staff. I had water coming out of the floor where I work on watches and had to move everything out of the way for the water leak to be repaired. Now I can't find half of the stuff I was working on. I will also be replacing a balance staff on a Hamilton 992B soon. Watch damaged in the move.

[JDRichard]

Good video Mr Bunn. I just got the staff extractor tool for pocket watches and watches

[migjette]

By the way, which number stake did you use to drop the safety roller & roller table off with? Staking book on the way. By K&D called " Staking tools & how to use them". One guy on EB in the UK has a hardback of this book for sale. It may have ended this am ( Jan 26) another in the UK has a 1978 edition & a guy in CA here stateside asks $23 + $3 for a copied edition.

[tiredfingers]

When I am done cutting the staff on the lathe how do I separate the staff from the rest of the steel pivot material thats still chucked in the lathe with out having the staff fly across the room. I could try to snap it off, but it might snap the staff? Do I stop the lathe and cut it off with a razor blade? And then how would I finish the very tip of the pivot that was attached to the steel material? I thought the jacot tool was only to polish?

[ggenovez]

WOW. Where did you get the hairspring tool? Thanks for the video.

[bunnspecial]

@mig29jette The truth is part of the cause. I looked a little bit for balance staff removal on YT but only saw one other video. I am surprised that there are not more videos showing this.

[kitanimboy]

I love the f-ing and blinding … You have (just) enough patience for watch repairs, but maybe not quite enough to make one hahaha.. :) … Interesting vid… Thanks for uploading.. :)

[AVintageWatch]

You can prevent hairline cracks in the dial by removing it before putting it on the movement holder. I learned that one the hard way. I use a lathe to cut off the rivet but the K&D looks like it did just fine. I'd put the balance on a flat stump and give it a tap with a flat stake just to deal with any stretching around the hole. All in all if it works who cares how many times you curse. :)

[bunnspecial]

@Polybun Wow $400-500 to replace a balance staff. Is the watch even worth that much? You could buy a real nice watch for that money. I could do it but I don't have staff for an 1883. I noticed from looking on the internet that there are a couple of staffs for this watch (ofrei). I don't know which yours is. You could send it to me but it might take a couple of weeks because I would have to send out for parts.

[bunnspecial]

@therealforeal Thanks for the comment. Maybe you owned this watch? I will keep the videos coming as long as you viewers keep paying. Oh wait ;-)